BOSSES behind the city's powerhouse of medical research are bidding for a share of a £1 million cash windfall.

The Institute of Life Science (ILS), based at Swansea University, could receive fresh financial investment following the Government's decision to develop a new UK Life Sciences Super Cluster.

It is designed to bring together industry, academia and the NHS, which will help to deliver the next generation of medicines and technologies needed to support people suffering with chronic diseases.

The project is being supported by £1 million of Government cash.

Swansea is already home to the ILS, and by 2011 it will also have phase two of the development built on the university site, on land gifted to the project by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.

It is expected there will be room for many more firms to join the South Wales life science cluster.

Professor Gareth Morgan, head of the school of medicine at Swansea University, said: "We are delighted to see this announcement from the UK Government.

"Here at the school of medicine, we are already engaged in close collaboration with industry and the NHS.

"As a young, dynamic school, we have the ability to move quickly and respond rapidly to opportunities that help us fulfil our mission — delivering better health to the people of Wales and translating our research into real benefits for the regional economy.

"Our focus on finding new solutions to old medical problems is a great fit with the new super cluster.

"Competition will be extremely tough, but I believe we are very well-placed to benefit from the funding that's being made available."

He added: "For example, the emphasis on immunology and inflammation in disease areas, such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis is a great fit with two of our most exciting high-tech ventures at the Institute of Life Science — Allerna Therapeutics and Maimonidex."

Professor Morgan said he hoped the development of a UK-wide life sciences super cluster would benefit Wales in the long-term.

"It's a truism that Wales struggles to attract the levels of research funding enjoyed within the "golden triangle" of Oxford, Cambridge and London," he added.

"We're working extraordinarily hard to redress the balance, and this announcement is a great boost to that effort."

He said representatives from the university were looking forward to attending the Office for Life Sciences Roadshow, on Tuesday in Cardiff, to find out more.

Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Lord Mandelson added: "The Government has demonstrated that we are prepared to take real action to support life sciences and this is already having an impact on investment decisions, but this is just the beginning.

"We will maintain this momentum and continue to build a thriving environment for UK life science."

elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk